Many school districts across Illinois are facing the consequences of the teacher and substitute teacher shortage. State Representative Avery Bourne is advocating for a bill that would make it easier to get teaching licenses in the state.

Bourne appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show. She says part of the measure makes it easier for out-of-state teachers to come to Illinois to work.

Bourne says licensing is only part of the solution to make teaching an attractive job in the state again. She says Illinois lawmakers must be fiscally responsible and keep their pension promises to state teachers.

Bourne says the retirement system does make financial decisions difficult at the state level, but lawmakers owe the teachers that have paid into the system.